Warriors Shake Up Lineup: Draymond Benched as Kerr Bets Big on Kuminga’s Breakout Potential
When Draymond Green returned to the Golden State Warriors’ lineup after missing two games due to left calf tightness, coach Steve Kerr made a notable decision to bring him off the bench. While it’s not unprecedented—Stephen Curry has come off the bench in playoff games under Kerr—the reasoning behind it was intriguing.
Kerr explained that the move was aimed at maximizing 22-year-old Jonathan Kuminga’s potential. The lineup against the Minnesota Timberwolves featured Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Andrew Wiggins, Kuminga, and Kevon Looney. Kuminga had started only sporadically this season, but his recent performances, including a career-high 33 points against the Houston Rockets, prompted Kerr to experiment with a starting role for him. The hope is that Kuminga, known for his ability to create offensive opportunities, can provide an energetic boost to the struggling Warriors offense, which has been among the league’s worst over their recent slide.
The adjustment also seeks to address a dual concern. First, integrating Kuminga with the starters reduces reliance on Green and Curry, aiming to preserve them for the long haul. Second, it stabilizes the second unit by utilizing Green’s playmaking and defensive leadership. This strategy allows Kerr to deploy Green in critical moments, such as closing games at center.
However, spacing challenges complicate matters. Kuminga and Green are not respected perimeter threats—despite Green’s improved 3-point percentage—making it difficult to pair them without sacrificing floor balance. Kerr previously tried starting Kuminga alongside Green and big man Trayce Jackson-Davis, but the lack of shooting hindered their offense. In contrast, Podziemski offers better spacing in Green’s absence.
The new lineup stumbled against Minnesota, committing a season-high 22 turnovers. While growing pains are expected, Kerr emphasized the need for practice and refinement during a lighter upcoming schedule. The Warriors aim to restore their offensive efficiency by optimizing rotations, addressing turnovers, and leveraging Kuminga’s unique skill set.
